//------------------------------//
// I'm Gonna Live Till I Die 
// Story: Out of This World 
// by Mouse-Deer 
//------------------------------//

It was Friday. 

Friday afternoon, specifically, and for a day that held such a looming threat above Sunset’s head, it was actually quite peaceful. She slumped forward in the back seat of the Principal’s car, still feeling under the weather. She had recovered well enough to the point where moving around was bearable, but she still had a nasty headache. At least I’m not bedridden anymore, she thought.

Principal Celestia had been kind enough to offer Sunset and Twilight a ride to Canterlot High School. They had spent the past hour going over everything at Sunset’s apartment with the Dazzlings, but even as Sunset ran the plan through her head, she couldn’t help but poke holes in every step. I’ve got to trust that the Dazzlings are on our side. But . . . it’s like what the Princess told me: ‘I would rather face ten armies marching on Canterlot than turn away from one pony with a knife.’ Sunset paused. She might have been trying to dissuade me from doing that, actually.

“When does the Formal start?” Twilight asked next to her, unable to stop fidgeting in her car seat. Her mind’s probably on overload right now, trying to make sure she’s analyzed every possible outcome. Sunset placed her hand over Twilight’s and offered a gentle smile. Twilight returned the favor and settled down a little.

“A little over an hour and a half from now, at seven,” the Principal said from the front. “Students should start filing in about thirty minutes early. That gives us an hour to set everything up. The Changelings will already be in the gym because of their role on the Committee, so as long as you are careful, it should be simple enough to move around if you stay outside.”

They pulled into CHS. That was awfully quick. As Principal Celestia stopped the car, Sunset slung a bag off of her shoulder and threw it on the seat between her and Twilight. 

“Hey Principal?” 

“Yes?”

Sunset patted the bag. “Twilight and I put a few things in here in case things go south tonight. My journal, Starswirl’s notes, and a good sack of bits that I brought over from Equestria are probably the most useful things inside. If we fail, your best bet is to go through the portal when the Changelings are distracted. You should come through in the center of Canterlot, our nation’s capital. It’ll be tough to escape from there, but if you get out of the city, it’ll be smooth sailing to reach another country and request asylum. A fair warning: you need to be prepared to use four hooves, and learn to gallop real fast.”

The Principal turned around and scrutinized the bag. “And what about you two?” she asked.

“It’s either Chrysalis or us,” Sunset said. 

Twilight nodded. “If we can’t give it our all, then we have no chance of winning.”

“I won’t run away,” the Principal responded. “I probably would not even make it out of Canterlot. I appreciate the thought, Sunset, but I won’t be remembered as the person who lost while kicking and screaming. If we can’t win, then fate says it is so.”

Sunset smiled. “Thank you, Principal.”

The three stepped out of the car, Twilight and Sunset keeping low on the ground to make sure there were no lingering Changelings in the area.

“Alright you two,” the Principal said, “the storage shed is in the back. I’ve put everything you should need in there; try and stay hidden until it’s your time.”

“Thanks again.” Sunset stuck out her hand to the Principal’s. “I can’t say it was always fun, but I’ll miss you. Good luck with the Dazzlings in there.”

The Principal smirked. “Don’t make it sound like we’re saying our final goodbyes.”

“You make it seem like I’m a pessimist or something.”

She laughed. “No, no, if anything you’re quite more amicable recently. What happened to that angry girl I knew just a month ago?”

“She’s still here,” Sunset said, “but she’s had some time to think. That anger . . . I can use it to my advantage. Not to fight against the world, but to help somepony else.” Sunset turned back and glanced at Twilight with a small smile.

“I’m glad to hear that, Sunset.”

Twilight also stepped forward and shook the Principal’s hand. “I can’t say I know you very well, Principal, but I think I would have liked going to your school. Perhaps I’m a bit biased though, being the other Celestia’s student and all.”

“You’re welcome to enroll any time,” the Principal said, another slight chuckle escaping her lips. “And good luck to both of you.” With a wave, she headed into the building from the back entrance, leaving the two girls alone.

Twilight turned to Sunset. “Sunset, I just want you to know, win or lose tonight, that I’m proud of what you’ve done.”

“I haven’t done anything. Not yet, at least,” said Sunset, sticking her hands in her pockets.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I didn’t believe it at first, but The Princess was right in telling me to come to you. She always knew that you could do great things. That you have already done great things. And, if fate wills it, tonight will be the same.”

Sunset blushed, shying away from the praise. “Did I ever tell you that my plan was to steal the Element of Magic? I was going to swipe it right out of your hooves. I figured I was worthy enough that it would just . . . work for me,” she sighed. “It seems so petty, now. Like I was some petulant filly that thought she was playing princess.”

“Don’t say that,” Twilight said, “I’m sure you had a plan that could have been admirable. We’ve scrapped together some sort of defense here, so that’s something.” She paused. “I still would’ve won in the end, though.”

They turned to head to the storage shed, relishing the relaxing atmosphere that would inevitably be short-lived. “Well, I suppose we should go grab our supplies, then,” said Sunset.

“Right,” agreed Twilight. “And, Sunset?”

She turned back around and met Twilight’s gaze.

“You totally would have won the Fall Formal Princess. No doubt about it,” she said, a proud expression on her face.

Sunset laughed as Twilight joined her on her a final walk through the schoolgrounds. 





It was ten minutes until seven o’clock, and a long line of students had grown at the entrance to CHS. Principal Celestia welcomed each student as they entered, more of a formality now that she was not taking any payment for attendance. Where are the Dazzlings? She tapped her foot anxiously on the ground, trying to hide her discomfort from the students. They should be on their way soon.

She cast a smile at a new group of kids who strolled up to the building. None of them returned it, their mood already soured before even entering the party. Normally I would think that was a bad thing.

Behind them, another group of students appeared that Celestia did not recognize. They approached Celestia, looks of apprehension evident on their faces. 

“This is the Fall Formal, right?” asked an aquamarine girl, peering at Celestia over her orange-rimmed glasses.

“Yes indeed,” said Celestia. “You girls must be coming from Crystal Prep?” she asked.

“Yeah,” said another girl with blue hair and big lightning bolt earrings. “Our principal begged us to go this morning. She even rented out a bus to drive the school here. This better be as good as she says it will be.”

Celestia smiled. Thank you, Cinch! “I promise it will be a great night. Please, come inside. You’ll see the gym after a short walk to the left.”

The girls went in without a word, leaving Celestia back in the cool autumn air. After a few more minutes of welcoming the students from CHS, two buses pulled up to the sidewalk. Celestia nearly squealed with glee as she saw everyone file off and head to the door. If the Dazzlings can’t work with this, then I don’t know what to say. It appeared as if the Fall Formal was going to be a hit, easily breaking the previous turnout record.

Eventually, seven o’clock arrived. Celestia welcomed the final stragglers before leaning against the door with a sigh. I’ve got at least four hundred kids in that gym. But where are the Dazzlings? 

Her attention focused on the tree in the center of the courtyard, her little project, and what a monstrosity it had become. Being able to see past the illusion barrier reminded her how grand of an oak it could have been, if given proper care and treatment. 

Why did they have to choose that of all things? Now it’s just a broken shell of what it should have been. Part of her was still clinging on to that original hope that something could outlast her influence on the school. However, she resignedly accepted the tree’s fate. It had been destroyed the second the Changelings took root inside of it, and perhaps it was better to let the tree die, and start anew once this was all over.

Celestia was broken from her reverie by the Sirens walking up to the building. The three girls had quite the outfits; it was plain to see they took rockstar glamor very seriously. Decked out in reflective, glittery dresses, an astounding amount of makeup, and with their hairstyles taken to the extreme, she could see why they became the center of attention so easily. They certainly commit to the part, that’s for sure. 

“Who’s ready to party?” Adagio said sarcastically. “We’re going to put on quite the show tonight.”

Celestia frowned. “You’re late.”

“Fashionably so,” she responded. “We need to make an entrance, you know. Chrysalis knows we’re showing tonight, but the more we catch her off guard, the better. When do want us on?”

“I’m going to announce the winner of Fall Formal Princess at around seven thirty, so if we get you up there five minutes before, it should do the trick to nullify Chrysalis’s plans,” she said.

“Who won the Princess, anyway?” asked Sonata.

“Who do you think, dumbass?” Aria said. “Chrysalis rigged it for ‘Sunset.’”

“Yes,” the Principal responded, “Sunset won by a hefty margin. Most students voted at the start of the week before Anon-A-Miss existed, so there’s a chance many will have wished to change their vote. Announcing her victory might actually cause even more of an uproar, if we get them in the right mood.”

“That’s the plan,” said Adagio. “Now let’s get out of the cold. These outfits aren’t meant for the winter.”

The Dazzlings sauntered in, Celestia following behind. “It should be about twenty minutes before you go on. You can stay backstage until it’s time. I’ll introduce you to the students for your cue.”

The reached the doors to the gym, and Celestia stopped just before entering. The sirens walked a bit farther to the backstage entrance.

Adagio turned back and offered a cool wave. “Good luck in there, Celestia. You’re going to need it.”

“Thank you,” Celestia said, but just as the Dazzlings entered backstage, she caught a strange glint in Adagio’s eye that sent her mind wondering. What was that about?

Without delaying any more, Principal Celestia pushed open the doors to the gym and entered the Fall Formal.

It was absolutely packed with students. The gloomy lighting and shady decorations made it hard to see everyone, but she could tell from the sound alone that it was a full house. The dance floor was completely full, and pop music was blaring from the speakers up front, barely holding its own against the partying crowd. It appeared to her that most students were enjoying themselves.

Hold on.

On closer inspection, most students were fairly apathetic to the party. A crowd had centered around the punch bowl of bored, disappointed students, and most of the ones that appeared as if they were enjoying themselves were forcing a smile. It was as if everyone recognized the effort the had been put in to set up the dance, but no one was actually feeling it at all. That works for now.

Celestia decided not to move too far from the exit. She needed to make sure that the no one was planning to leave, especially since the crowd near the punch bowl looked to be plotting an exodus. So she leaned against the wall and listened to whatever electro tune was playing from the speakers up front.

“You did a wonderful job setting up tonight, sister.”

Celestia jumped, startled at Luna’s sudden appearance. Her eyes lowered in suspicion. What does she want?

“Ah, well, thank you,” responded Celestia. “It seems to be a hit, haha,” she awkwardly laughed, still concerned about being in so close proximity to a Changeling.

“Do you have the crown backstage?” Luna asked.

“Yes I do. I’ll be bringing it out in about fifteen minutes from now.”

“And we are awarding it to Sunset, correct?”

Ah, Celestia thought, so that’s what she wants. To make sure I won’t try anything funny.

“Of course,” she said, “Why would I award it to someone who didn’t win?”

Luna put on a plastic smile. “Just an unfounded worry of mine.”

Celestia smiled and nodded, choosing not to engage with the changeling any further. Fortunately, the doppelganger Luna was not fond of conversation either, and with its intended mission complete, decided to simply stand next to the Principal as well.

Another glance at the crowd showed that most students were still not feeling it. She peered at one corner of the dance floor, where a large number of Crystal Prep students had congregated. Especially confused, they awkwardly tried to ignore the atmosphere set up by the CHS students.

That same group of Crystal Prep girls from earlier approached Celestia at the door. “I want to leave,” said the girl with the mess of blue hair. “This sucks.”

“I’m afraid I can’t let you out of the gym,” Celestia said, choosing to ignore the insult, “it’s school policy.”

“Huh?” the girl exclaimed. “And what if I need to use the bathroom?”

Celestia pointed to a small door at the corner of the gym. “The boys’ and girls’ locker rooms are over there. There is a restroom connected to the showers, if you need to go.” She kept a straight face as the group stared at her, astounded.

The girl harrumphed and turned back to her friends. “Come on, girls. We’ll make sure everybody on MyStable knows how terrible parties at CHS are.”

As the girls walked away, Celestia felt a small pang in her heart after hearing their insult. I always put my heart and soul into these! It’s not my fault it was hijacked. Then again, were she in their spot, she would be complaining too. It felt oppressing just to stand in the room, and if the students were not too caught up in the bad atmosphere to notice it, they would try and escape out of the Changelings’ influence too.

At the thought of the Changelings in her head, Celestia realized she had not seen Chrysalis at all. She’s not waiting outside, is she? Suddenly nervous, Celestia stepped forward to get a closer look at the crowd. Warily approaching the dance floor, she used her height over the students to her advantage, scanning each visible head in the hopes of seeing Sunset’s red hair. It did not take long for her to find Sunset, as every person around her appeared to be the only ones having a good time. Chrysalis caught her eye and sent a glare Celestia’s way—it didn’t feel very serious, though. If anything, Chrysalis seemed to be more relaxed than Celestia had seen her yesterday. What is she planning?

Abruptly, the crowd cleared way for Sunset and gave the Principal a better view of the changeling in disguise. It appeared as if she was glowing, a golden aura surrounding her in contrast to the dark dance floor and dim lights. Illusion magic? Her short white skirt and amaranth pink bodice complemented Sunset’s amber skin, but the most noticeable part of her dress was the light pink train that flowed out from behind the girl as she walked. Someone should have accidentally stepped on it by now, but for all Celestia knew, it was just an illusion Chrysalis used to make herself stand out. Her fiery hair appeared to flow upward in a gravity-defying combination of scarlet and yellow. What completed her look were the long orange boots that had a small set of wings at the top front edge, and the wall of orange and red eyeshadow that intentionally stuck out at the front of her face. It has to be an illusion. No one looks that angelic normally.

Chrysalis stalked up to her, an almost manic grin on her face. “What a wonderful night, isn’t it, Principal?”

Celestia glanced down at her watch. 7:23. It’s almost go time—no more playing pretend. She steeled her gaze and faced Chrysalis. 

“Do you remember what you said to me, when you first came to my house?”

Chrysalis feigned being taken aback. “What do you mean, Principal? I’ve never—”

“Cut it out,” the Principal snarled. “You said that no one would believe me if I reported Luna missing. That you would just impersonate her, and any evidence I had would be baseless.”

“It stands true,” Chrysalis said, dropping the act.

“Well, when you get beaten to a pulp tonight, I hope you know that Sunset will be there to dispel any rumors that suggest I have committed any poor conduct.”

Chrysalis cackled, almost drowned out by the roaring music and crowd. “Now that’s the Celestia I’ve been waiting to see! The Princess must have rubbed off on you a bit; it’s cute, really, when you try to play the big girl.” She stepped closer to the Principal, and when no one was looking, she replaced Sunset’s teal eyes with a dark, mystical green. “When everything you fought for is lost tonight, when you’re surrounded by defeat in every direction—I can’t wait to see the look on your face. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a stupid pony realize they wasted their life. It all turns to nothing, Celestia. I hope you can make peace with that fact real soon.” Chrysalis turned around with a sneer and headed back out to the center of the dance floor, her security centering back around her.

Celestia did her best to brush off Chrysalis’s remarks. It’s time. She made her way to the stage, currently occupied by Vinyl Scratch, or at least whatever changeling was impersonating her, mixing sounds on a DJ booth. Celestia climbed up the stairs and motioned for the girl to turn down the music. The changeling decided to be cheeky and pretend that they could not understand the Principal over the DJ’s headphones. Celestia walked over to the booth, grabbed the first power cord she could find, and ripped it out, cutting off the music. If I break something, I’ll pay it back later. She walked over to the microphone at center stage and tapped it a few times.

“Hello everyone! Thank you for coming to this year’s Fall Formal! We have a lot planned for you tonight, including the announcement of the Fall Formal Princess very soon—” the mention of the Fall Formal Princess stirred the crowd, all eyes turning toward Sunset. Chrysalis had slipped back into the role and only offered a smug grin. “—but first, I would like to introduce you all to a wonderful band of girls in the area who offered to perform a special concert just for you tonight. Get ready to rock and roll harder than you ever have before, with The Dazzlings!”

On cue, the three girls appeared onstage, and Celestia stepped aside to offer Adagio the main microphone. Adagio smirked and held out her hand to Celestia. When the Principal shook it, she felt Adagio place two small earplugs in her hand.

“Just in case,” she said, barely audible above the excited crowd.

“Thank you,” the Principal said before heading off the stage. Once she got back to her spot at the entrance, she put in her earplugs and leaned back, ready to enjoy the show. She glanced over at Luna’s imposter. The changeling had become quite agitated at the arrival of the Dazzlings, fidgeting back and forth to get the best view of Sunset out on the floor.

“Don’t worry,” Celestia said, catching the changeling’s attention. “It’ll be just fine.”

Just as Celestia finished speaking, the crowd quieted down to a low murmur. It’s now or never. The Dazzlings closed their eyes and let out a hum, making sure they were in tune. Then, with a smirk and a sway of Adagio’s hips, they began to sing. Their pendants glowed a blinding scarlet, illuminating the stage in a menacing glow.

Celestia would not call herself exactly a fan of the song, but the immediate effect it cast upon the student body supported its effectiveness; literally singing about how the students were under their spell actually worked its magic on them. She was unimpressed, but then again, she was not the target of the spell. The students were oblivious to the enchantment slowly overcoming them, while the disguised changelings on the floor glanced around in rapidly-increasing worry.

Soon, a green mist settled down to the floor, a surprisingly complementary addition to the atmosphere of this Fall Formal. The frowning faces that had made up the majority of the students’ attitudes disappeared, and were replaced with outright anger. Like the flip of a switch, kids started shouting in the faces of their dates, throwing their food on the ground, and pushing one another around. The only people who appeared unaffected by the song were Chrysalis and her Changelings. It became too easy to spot who was a changeling among the crowd, and Celestia nervously noted that there were more than the thirteen-or-so they had originally planned for. Good thing we realized that earlier, or this wouldn’t be going well at all.

She caught a glimpse at Chrysalis in the center of the crowd. She still emanated a cool, slightly cocky attitude, despite the utter chaos around her. She’s just faking composure right now. She knows her time is almost up. The Dazzlings continued to sing their hearts out onstage, letting the crowd simmer in anger. Celestia became thankful that she had chosen a spot near the exit as she saw the first few students begin to start hitting one another.

It pained her to see all of her students partake in the abrupt riot. There was a time, just weeks ago, where she truly considered herself to be doing the right thing for the school; one short week later and any goodwill she thought the students shared had been obliterated into pieces. Perhaps I have been trying too hard after all. When push came to shove, every student buckled. I guess I would, too.

Celestia’s ear focused back on The Dazzlings, the three singers modulating into a lower key. It’s starting! That green mist that had settled to the bottom of the floor kicked up, flying into the air, forming swirly green trails in its wake. Celestia watched as one trail dived for a changeling near Chrysalis, who happened to hold the form of poor Flash Sentry. The green trail rushed into the changeling’s mouth, and it immediately clutched its throat, a shocked expression on its face. It sunk down onto its knees, its chest heaving in and out as if it was coughing, but nothing was coming out. The changeling stopped clutching its throat and reached up, clawing for air. After a few more moments of what looked like torture, the green trail spat back out the Changeling’s mouth, and the creature sunk to the ground, exhausted. Just as Celestia began to think that the Dazzlings might have killed the bug, it jumped back up, whatever magic it needed to fuel itself arriving in full force. It almost certainly was more magic than the changeling needed. It worked! If the sirens kept it up, the changelings would start to burn through any excess magic they had to spare. Celestia almost jumped for joy when she saw more trails flowing into more changelings, easily visible because of their inability to be affected by the Dazzlings’ enchantment. We might have a chance!

However, at the center of the riot, with a clear circle of space around her, stood Chrysalis. Unlike the rest of the changelings in utter panic, she still appeared completely calm. She’s not just calm . . . she’s cocky! Celestia caught Chrysalis’s gaze, and the changeling queen cast at haughty smile in her direction. Why isn’t she worried? Chrysalis’s grin grew wider. Celestia watched in confusion as the queen sprawled out her hands, raising them up as if reaching for ceiling. What is she doing? Completely oblivious to the suffering of her own kind around her, she simply started to laugh, her cackles roaring over the rioting crowd. Just as Celestia decided she needed to call out to the Dazzlings to warn them, Chrysalis’s eyes glowed a bright green, and she snapped her finger.

Then everything went dark.

Celestia could still hear the Dazzling’s singing—although, it had come to halt at the coinciding time she lost her vision—as well as the angered shouts and rustles of students fighting on the floor. Yet, her vision was completely gone, and judging by the suddenly shaky tone of the Dazzlings, there vision was as well. Panic set in; she blindly stumbled forward, reaching out for anything she could clutch on to. Once she found a solid wall, she clung to the side like her life depended on it.

What is this? A flurry of thoughts overloaded her mind. A power outage? A blinding spell? Some secret changeling technique? 

“Celestia!” called out someone from upstage. It sounded like Aria. The other two sirens were starting a duet in an attempt to still hold control over the gym. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know!” she called back. “We’ve lost our vision!”

“If we can’t see,” Aria yelled shakily, “then we don’t know where to direct the magic! We don’t have enough innate sense to differentiate between human and changeling without sight, especially through that mix on the floor! We’re just wasting it!”

Oh no, Celestia thought, this was her plan all along. Dread set in. I have to figure out what this is. If she had the power to do this at will, she could have destroyed us by now. It has to be something planned in advance— her train of thought was interrupted by a sound digging into her ear.

Something was buzzing. It must be a changeling spell! Another illusion? At the thought of an illusion, Celestia realized that the whole theme of the dance was to be as dark and hard to see as possible. That’s it!

“Dazzlings!” She called out. “They’re using an illusion spell! The gym is already dark, so they’re exaggerating that idea in your mind! You have to break the illusion in your heads!”

“How?!” Sonata called, taking her turn away from the song. “We don’t deal with illusion magic well!”

“Just . . . imagine that you can still see! Envision the crowd, the disco ball, the food bar! See it in your mind, and it might come back to your vision!” As Celestia spoke those words aloud, she began to see a faint picture come back into sight. “It’s working for me! Just try!”

A dim picture of the gym reappeared in Celestia’s eyesight, and she could make out the blurry mass on the dance floor. Come on . . . After another minute of concentration, she had a clear picture of the gym once again. She moved a short ways away from her spot at the wall to get closer to the Dazzlings.

“I’ve got it!” she called. “How are you up there?”

“It’s dim,” said Adagio in the mic, “but I’m starting to see again.” She rejoined her chorus, focusing on channeling the energy they lost back into the music.

Celestia used her regained eyesight to examine the crowd. Everything looked similar to before, except the dance floor held quite a few students who had tripped over one another in a blind stumble. What was the point of that? What did she do while we could not see?

The Dazzlings picked the music back up in full force, fortunately no longer affected by Chrysalis’s attack. Their amulets glowed brighter as the green mist picked back up, and they restarted their method of picking out the changelings among the crowd. However, they were not sending their magic anywhere across the dance floor. 

Where are the changelings? The smoky tendrils floated aimlessly through the air, uncertain on who its target was supposed to be.

Chrysalis cackled again from the center of the dance floor. “Did you think I would just let my soldiers stand there and take it? No, you’ll have to work harder than that!”

The Dazzlings’ trio grew shaky once more, the strain of harvesting too much energy without anywhere to send it audible in their voices. Celestia scanned the crowd, looking for any tell that could give away the changelings’ position. Near the Crystal Prep corner, she noticed that one group of six was actually three duplicates of the same two people.

“They’re blending in with the crowd!” she called to the Dazzlings. “Try and find any look-alikes! At least one of them must be a Changeling!” 

“We can’t risk wasting magic on the real person!” Aria called back. “You need to point out which ones are changelings for us!”

Chrysalis continued to laugh as she watched their display unfold. “That won’t be enough! But good luck trying, Principal!”

With one last glance at the Dazzlings, the Principal rushed onto the dance floor, looking at each student and searching for any multiples. She examined the Crystal Prep group, the one where two looked like a group of six, but paused. How do I tell them apart?

“Dazzlings! Do the students react to outside forces when within your enchantment?”

“They will not react to anything outside of the spell if it is relatively unobtrusive!” Adagio responded.

“Got it!” The Celestia reached up and gently tapped one girl in the face. She didn’t flinch, completely focused on the argument with the girl across from her. She went to the next two duplicates and pushed a little harder. Although they stayed committed to the role, she noticed a small twitch when she touched both of them. “These two here!” She called out. She turned to the two girls the other Changelings were pretend-arguing with and pushed them as well. Both also flinched. “And their partners here!”

The green tendrils reached down and snagged up the four Changelings, suffocating them with magic.

And so it continued, Celestia rushing across the dance floor, slapping, pushing, and poking students to figure out who was a fake so the Dazzlings could pounce. Celestia noted that, even at the breakneck pace she was moving at, the Dazzlings’ amulets were dimming, their once blinding glow now lowered to the dimness of a lightbulb. All the while, Chrysalis stood arrogantly in the center, untouched by the struggle around her. 

“How does it feel, Principal! Your ace in the hole was completely negated by simply hiding my Changelings! I didn’t even need to fight back!”

Celestia paused to turn to her. “We’re not done yet, Chrysalis!”

Chrysalis huffed and straightened out her posture. “No, I think this sad show has gone on for long enough. It’s time I show you what I’ve been waiting for.” Chrysalis’s eye glowed a bright green hue as she glowered at the Principal. 

Suddenly, a buzzing sound completely overwhelmed the sirens onstage. Even with her earplugs in, Celestia clutched her hands around her ears to shield herself. Chrysalis cackled once more, and Celestia felt herself overtaken by dizziness. Is the room pressure dropping? The Dazzlings magic was no longer audible, completely blocked out by the buzzing. Their amulets were draining fast. The rioting students suddenly stopped one after another, instead offering a hand to help the person they were pummeling back up. In mere minutes, their amulets had lost all of their light, left as dim as any normal stone. The three sirens sunk defeatedly to the ground onstage, unable to sing any longer. No!

Celestia felt a sense of calm wash over her. Having dealt with the Changelings’ spell before, she knew how easy it was to fall into their trap, especially when she was completely surrounded. She grasped her arm and twisted it as hard as she could, making sure the pain never completely wore off. She prayed that the pain combined with her earplugs would be enough to stop herself from falling into the changelings’ spell.

The students had now gone completely still, ordered evenly on the dance floor, with identical, blank smiles on all of their faces. It was hard to resist joining the pleasant atmosphere the changelings created, but Celestia held strong, reminding herself that her emotions were under her own control. She ran onstage up to the Dazzlings.

“What happened?” she asked.

“They overwhelmed us,” said Adagio. “We were barely holding on, so when Chrysalis started to cast her love spell, it negated all the power we were putting out. It drained us up in an instant.”

The room had gone deathly silent, except for the light chuckle of Chrysalis in the crowd. “Well, here we are. I’m glad to see that you’ve taken stage already, Miss Celestia.”

“Excuse me?” Celestia said.

Chrysalis grinned. “It’s a little past seven-thirty. Don’t you think it’s about time to announce the Fall Formal Princess?”

Luna walked up to the microphone, a small wooden chest in her hands. She popped open the top to reveal the Fall Formal crown sitting atop a plush pillow. 

“Come on, Principal,” Chrysalis called from the crowd, “we don’t have all night.”

Aghast, Celestia stood up and walked over to the microphone. She glanced back at the Dazzlings, who gave her a pleading look. I can’t do this . . .

“Get on with it!”

I don’t have a choice.

Celestia sighed and took a deep breath. “Um . . . first off, I would like to say how wonderful everything looks tonight. You all did a magnificent job of pulling things together, and . . . I would like to thank everyone for showing up, including the amazing students from Crystal Preparatory Academy.” She paused, noting Chrysalis’s expression, growing more impatient by the second. I need to stop this! A thought popped into her mind.

“I’m sure all of you at CHS have spent the past few days worrying about this mysterious Anon-A-Miss, who has launched the most damaging cyberbullying campaign in this school’s history.” Chrysalis’s face contorted into a frown. “I would like to announce that we have found who is behind the account, and have enough evidence to condemn the student. The Anon-A-Miss account is being run by none other than Sunset Shimmer.”

The Principal expected to hear gasps, or to see at least one person in shock at the revelation, but no one even moved. The only sound was Chrysalis, clapping her hands, a mockingly bashful expression on her face.

“Sorry, everybody! My bad! I promise to be better next time, I swear!” Her expression soured as she turned back to Celestia. “Now hurry up.”

Celestia looked on in shock. “Do none of you students care at all? Didn’t she make your lives miserable for the past week, and do damage that will hurt your future? You should be chasing her out of the building!”

The happy faces of the student body collectively shifted into frowns. “Don’t you see, Principal,” said Chrysalis, “that they love me? Well, they love Sunset, but it still applies here. There’s nothing you can do now. Award me the crown and accept defeat peacefully.”

Celestia glanced at the Dazzlings, frozen in defeat. I can’t give up now . . .

Celestia turned to Luna and reluctantly picked the crown up off of its pillow. “Um . . . without further ado, I would like to announce the winner of this year’s Fall Formal crown.” 

She eyed the crown, twisting it over in her hands. This is it, then. Once I hand this to her, she can exploit the kids enough to hatch her eggs. I tried my hardest, Luna. I’m sorry. She stared out into the crowd of students, all annoyed that Celestia was stalling at handing Sunset the crown. “Come on already!” Chrysalis yelled.

The students followed suit and began jeering at the Principal. Someone threw a cup of soda on stage, hitting Celestia’s legs. Soon, plenty of students began to throw items onstage, hitting against Celestia, Luna, and the Dazzlings all over. She’s got them completely under control. They’ll do anything for her. Sunset’s words from earlier in the evening drifted back into her mind.

That anger . . . I can use it to my advantage. Not to fight against the world, but to help somepony else.

That’s it! she thought. Celestia turned to the three sirens. “Dazzlings!” she whispered. The three girls turned to her. “Look at the crowd!”

The three Sirens shielded their faces from the incoming pieces of food. “What about it?” asked Adagio. “They hate us.”

“Exactly! They’re angry because of how much they love Chrysalis!”

Adagio’s eyes widened in realization. “But that means . . .”

The Principal smirked. “Watch this.”

She turned to the microphone, and, ignoring the barrage of food, straightened herself out, a confident smile appearing on her face. “The person who gained the most votes to be this year’s Fall Formal Princess was Sunset Shimmer.” The students erupted in applause. Chrysalis cackled as she walked up to the front of the stage, the crowd making way for her as it screamed and danced in happiness.

Just as Chrysalis made it to the top steps and up to Celestia, reveling in the flood of love she was receiving, the Principal took the crown in her hands and snapped it in half against her knee. “But nobody gets it this year! I’m disappointed in all of you! This school has turned into an absolute mess! It’s disgraceful!” Immediately the crown roared in anger, stomping their feet on the ground in disapproval.

Chrysalis rushed up to the Principal and grabbed her by her collar. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she snarled. 

The Principal pushed her off. “Get off of me! You’re a disgrace to Sunset’s name.”

“Give me the crown, you bastard,” the changeling queen growled as the Principal couldn’t contain her snickering.

Celestia tossed the two halves in front of Chrysalis. “It’s all yours. Take it.”

Chrysalis picked up the two halves, putting on a faux sorrowful expression to rile up the crowd. They grew louder, enraged at the mistreatment of the Fall Formal Queen. “Are you stupid?” she said to Celestia. “Look how much they love me.”

Celestia grinned. “Whether it’s out of love or hate, those students down below are still angry as all hell. And really, that’s all we need.”

The Principal stepped to the side, giving Chrysalis a better view of the Dazzlings. Their pendants were glowing a blinding red light. Before Chrysalis could stop them, they began to sing.

“Stop the spell!” she screamed at her changelings. “It’s helping them! Stop the goddamn spell!” But it was too late. The sirens had taken the frenzy the students had gotten worked up into and shifted it to their own advantage. The changelings stopping their spell just made it easier for the Dazzlings to reclaim control. Quickly, the sirens shifted back into their lower key and sent green tendrils of smoke out to the Changelings in the crowd, now easily findable due to their sudden state of panic.

Chrysalis jumped off of the stage and into the dance floor. “Come here, changelings! Surround me!” Instead of the crowd giving way to her like previously, the enraged group trampled over Chrysalis, ripping the train of her dress. She tripped and fell, and the students, no longer aware of her presence, accidentally stomped all over her.

Celestia saw the queen disappear in a flash of green, and the wasp flew out of the dance floor toward the gym exit. All of her changelings followed behind her. However, that just made it easier for the sirens to catch them, and they focused all of that mist onto the group, stopping them dead in their tracks. Just as Chrysalis reached the exit, she transformed back into Sunset, throwing her bruised and battered body against the door to escape. None of the changelings made it through behind her.

Chrysalis stumbled out of the dance hall, seething in anger. “God dammit! Dammit!” She rushed down the main hallway to the front entrance of the school, leaving the Fall Formal behind. She stumbled out the doors into the cool night air. The sky was a hazy orange, the sun almost completely set. She rushed over to her hive, that monstrous tree, in the front yard.

The towering hive slowly diminished back into a normal-sized tree, shrinking in front of her eyes. The Dazzlings had succeeded in removing her excess magic, and now she was on even ground, with only her current magic inside of her to use. She ran over to a small fist-sized hole in the side and peered in. The eggs lining the inside walls were still unharmed, and she let out a sigh of relief. 

“Do not worry, little ones,” she cooed. “You will be hatched by the end of tonight.”

“I can see you, Chrysalis!” someone called out. Chrysalis peeked around the tree to see Sunset Shimmer standing in front of the mirror portal, a sledgehammer gripped in her hands. “Come on out.”

Chrysalis stepped out from behind the tree and slowly approached Sunset, keeping a good few meters away. “Well Sunset, how nice it is to see you,” she said mockingly, “I’m glad to see you’re feeling better.”

“And you look fantastic. Is that my dress you’re wearing?” Sunset asked.

“Ah, yes, one of my drones saw this design in another student’s house. Did you blackmail Rarity, perhaps?”

Sunset snorted. “I prefer to use the term forced commission. It’s good to know I would have looked great in it.”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Chrysalis took a careful step forward, and Sunset reflexively tensed her arms, lifting the sledgehammer up. “Ooh, a little nervous, are we?” she taunted. “How about you let me pass you through that portal?”

Sunset adjusted her grip. “You’re not going through this portal, Chrysalis. You’re gonna surrender, right here and now. I saw the tree shrink down; you’re out of magic. Certainly not enough to take the world over. Give it up.”

Chrysalis took another step forward. “And what exactly are you going to do if I don’t bend to your will?”

Sunset raised the sledgehammer. “I’ll break this portal into pieces. I’ve already sent Twilight over to the other side—she’s breaking Princess Luna and the bearers of the Elements out of their pods as we speak. I’ll trap you and I here forever.”

Chrysalis’s humorous grin lowered into contemplative expression. “Would you really? From what I can sense, you’ve gotten quite chummy with your old pony pals. I would think you want to be less human, if anything. But are you sure you’re ready to make that decision for yourself?” She lifted her hand, and with a flash of green it turned into a hoof. “What are you, Sunset: human or pony?” She shifted the hoof back into a hand, and back to the hoof, continuing a back-and-forth motion in an attempt to unnerve Sunset. The girl growled and shifted position to have a better angle at the portal.

“I’m neither, and both,” Sunset said. “I’m not playing along with your mind games any longer. This is about something bigger than me. I’ll take us both down if I need to in any world, and in any form.”

Chrysalis gasped. “I’m shocked! You’ve finally grown up, turned into a responsible adult. You’re all selfless and yucky. You still haven’t outgrown one trait, though: overconfidence.” She continued her approach, the distance between her and Sunset closing in.

“Stay back!” Sunset cried. “I’ll break this!”

Chrysalis laughed. “Give it a shot! You see, Sunset, I’m not a moron. I’ve got guards placed on the other side of that portal. Anypony who decides to travel to Equestria is immediately captured and imprisoned. If you really have Twilight over there, then she’s being stuffed into a sack right now.”

“You’re bluffing.”

“Hah! The gall of some ponies!” The distance between them shortened to less than a meter. Sunset raised the sledgehammer and smirked.

“Let’s find out who’s lying, then.” With a grunt, Sunset swung the sledgehammer down onto the top of the statue. In a lightning flash, Chrysalis turned into a wasp and darted for Sunset, slamming into her stomach. Sunset fell to the ground, dropping the hammer onto the pavement before it could make contact.

Chrysalis wasted no time and turned back into Sunset’s form. She began to punch Sunset relentlessly, letting out all of her pent up rage through her fists. Sunset tried to shield her face, but it was to no avail.

“You, stupid, bitch!” Chrysalis cried, a punch timed with each word. “I had everything! Tonight was supposed to be a fucking cakewalk!” Sunset let the barrage of fists continue to land against her face, unable to get a word in. “You’re nobody! Celestia’s trash, tossed aside once she realized you were worth nothing! Even this dumpster fire of a world is too good for you!”

As Chrysalis continued her fit of rage, Sunset slid her hand into her jean pocket and pulled out a small switchblade. Just as Chrysalis winded up for her next hit, Sunset unflipped it and swiped it at Chrysalis, slicing her arm.

“Gah!” screamed Chrysalis as she flinched backward, clutching her arm. Sunset used the opening to push Chrysalis off of her and stumble to her feet. “Goddamn you!”

Sunset raised her fists and tensed her muscles as Chrysalis wiped the blood off of her hands. “Come on,” she said, stopping to spit some blood out of her mouth, “let’s do this fair.”

Chrysalis cackled maniacally. “Fair?! No chance in Tartarus!” She darted forward in wasp form before transforming back right in front of Sunset, this time swinging her fist with her built up momentum. It clocked Sunset in the jaw, and she stumbled back in a daze. Chrysalis kept pressure, advancing on Sunset and punching her in the same spot. 

“Shit!” Sunset yelled as Chrysalis came in for a third hit. She weakly dodged out of the way and sent a fist flying at Chrysalis’s face, but right before it connected, Chrysalis turned into a wasp, and she only hit the air. She fell backward onto her chest, slamming into the ground with a groan. However, instead of continuing her assault, Chrysalis turned around and flew over to the portal.

“I think that’s enough of that. I’ll go and grab a quick pick-me-up from Equestria, if you wouldn’t mind,” she said, stepping forward to the portal.

“No!” Sunset yelled, jumping to her feet. She ran over to Chrysalis, and clutched Chrysalis’s leg before she went completely through, yanking her back into Earth. Chrysalis dizzily stumbled onto the ground.

“No!” the changeling queen screamed. She flew over to Sunset, and pushed her to the ground, this time choosing a barrage of kicks against her stomach in a frenzy of hatred. Sunset groaned after each hit, but still didn’t bother resisting. “Why won’t you let me win?!”

Sunset started to chuckle, spitting out more blood in between the heaves of her chest. She considered herself tough, but if Chrysalis kept up her attack, Sunset realized she was going to pass out. “Oh, man . . . heh . . . you’re one stupid bug . . .”

Chrysalis stopped kicking, instead choosing to restrain Sunset down and lean in closer, relieving Sunset slightly. “What are you hiding?” Chrysalis asked as Sunset regained her senses.

Sunset laughed louder, wincing and clutching her chest. “It’s just . . . you get so caught up in yourself . . . that your eyes lose sight of the prize.”

Chrysalis stopped, a puzzled expression on her face. Amidst silence between the two of them, she heard a sound from across the courtyard. Her eyes widened.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

The changeling queen darted over to her hive and saw the last thing she wanted to see: Twilight Sparkle, chopping away at the tree with an axe. She was almost completely through, and after a few more chops, a solid push would take the tree down completely, and all her eggs with it. She heard Sunset laughing like a madwoman near the mirror portal.

It wasn’t too late, however. She rushed over to Twilight and pushed her to the ground, just as the girl was about to put a final swing into the side. She pinned Twilight on the ground and offered a devilish smile.

“Well, Twilight, how nice it is to see you after all this time. Tell me, how does it feel to watch two worlds burn?”

Twilight spat in her face. “That’s for Cadance and Shining Armor.”

Chrysalis laughed, wiping the spit off of her face. “I’ll send the message. I see now; Sunset was just the distraction. It’s a shame she didn’t give you enough time to finish the job, isn’t at? After all, now she’s too far away to save you. You fucked it all up.” Twilight glared daggers at the queen. However, the close proximity between the two allowed Chrysalis to sense the love inside of Twilight. She smiled coyly. “Tell me, Twilight, how pretty do I look in this dress?”

“You’re hideous,” Twilight snarled. Chrysalis did a quick look back to make sure Sunset wasn’t on her feet. The other girl was still trying to pull herself off the ground. She turned back to Twilight, barely suppressing a manic grin.

“How could you say that about Sunset’s form? I can feel it, you know.”

“What?” Twilight said.

“Your love,” she responded, “and I think it might be quite tasty. Would you mind if I borrowed some?” Chrysalis’s eyes flashed green, and, casting a quick spell over Twilight, she leaned in and kissed her on the lips. 

Sunset had stood up and was stumbling over to them when she saw what Chrysalis was doing. “No!” she shouted, breaking into a sprint. The tree, almost completely cut, started to close its cuts back up. All of Chrysalis’s bruises and the cut on her arm faded away; she appeared completely rejuvenated. Sunset slammed into the changeling, pushing her off of Twilight. 

Chrysalis pulled herself off of the ground. “Now that feels good! Who needs to go to Equestria when there’s an Equestrian on tap right here, eh?” Sunset rushed over to Twilight and began trying to break her out of Chrysalis’s trance, shaking her up and down. “Oh, give it up for a bit. I poured all of my energy into that spell. It sure paid off though!” She cackled again as she got up to her feet.

“What the hell did you do?” growled Sunset.

“Oh, nothing much. I just sapped her dry. And boy, did she have a lot of love to give! You’ve got a catch there, Sunset.”

Sunset stepped off of Twilight and advanced toward Chrysalis. “I’ll kill you.”

“It sure would be interesting to see you try that,” she said. “In fact, all this excess magic is making me jittery. I think I might indulge for once.” She flashed green and began a transformation that stopped Sunset in horror.

A pair of sanguine wings sprouted from her back, and her skin tone darkened to match. Sunset stumbled backward as the imposter turned her own body into the form of a demon, with sharp fangs, pointed ears, and pitch black sclera. Her previously white and pink dress became a torn mess of fire and black, and she sprouted a tail of similar design. Chrysalis cackled madly, and with two beats of her wings, flew up into the air.

“It appears fate is still on my side tonight, Sunset! How cruel the universes must seem to you!”





Principal Celestia stood in astonishment onstage as the riot played out below her. It . . . it worked! She jumped up with a whoop of joy and turned to the Dazzlings, who were singing through beaming smiles.

“We did it!” she exclaimed. “They didn’t know what hit them!” Relief washed over Celestia once the recognition that her job was over settled in. 

Luna, if Twilight and Sunset can pull this thing off, I might just believe that magic is a good thing. She walked offstage, and realizing how thirsty she was, moved over to the food bar to grab a drink. She weaved past a group of students in a heated argument, and sidestepped two kids grappling at each other in a physical struggle. Once she reached the food bar she found the punch bowl was nearly empty, but she scooped out just enough to quench her thirst. Of course, they still need to pull this off. I should go out and help them. 

She glanced at the corner of room where all of the changeling drones had been rounded up; the Dazzlings kept a steady stream of anger flowing into their bodies, and most were laying limp on the ground, all too weary to put up a fight. It was almost pitiful, seeing the supposed conquerors of Equestria reduced to a few such a sad sight. I guess the Dazzlings really did have the power after all.

She decided to make her way back onstage and see if the Dazzlings would want to go help the girls outside. In order to cross the room, the easiest path back was straight through the dance floor. Celestia steeled herself and trudged in, ready to push through the bickering students if necessary. When she reached the center and got a closer look, it became apparent they were doing far more than just arguing. 

One student was tugging at another’s hair, flipping the poor girl’s head around. Another had gotten their neighbor on the ground, and was stomping on child relentlessly. She turned around and saw that the two people who had just been in a verbal argument had begun to strangle one another. She slightly lowered her head down, careful not to get trampled, and examined the floor. Pools of blood became easily visible against the reflective lights. This is getting out of control!

She rushed back onstage and up to the Dazzlings. “You need to stop this!” she cried. “The students have started to fight one another. They’re getting hurt!”

Adagio turned to her. “That’s sort of what anger does. If you want us to finish the job, we need to continue riling them up.”

“I didn’t sign up to see a bloodbath!” exclaimed the Principal. “I’m still responsible for these students! The changelings have been defeated—we can stop now.”

Adagio shrugged. “We’re seeing this through. Consider it the price you have to pay to save the world.” She turned back and rejoined the chorus.

A fit of determination overcame the Principal. She walked over to the microphone and yanked it out of its stand, leaving Adagio without any projection. “Enough!” she yelled into the mic.

Everyone was too caught up in their struggle against the other students to even acknowledge her announcement.

“Stop this at once! I demand that you stop!”

Adagio walked over to her, a scowl on her face. “That’s not gonna work.”

“What do I have to do, then?” she seethed. “This is too far, Adagio.”

Adagio motioned her hand toward the microphone. “I’ll make it stop if you give me the mic. Honestly.”

Celestia furrowed her brow at the siren’s comment, but she knew that getting the riot to stop was more important. “Here,” she said, handing over the mic. 

Adagio turned back and walked to her spot on the stage. “Alright, girls! I say its time we show Earth what a real party is!”

On cue, the two singing Dazzlings modulated back up into their original key. However, instead of winding the song down, their singing grew more intense, and Adagio joined in, bringing them up into a higher octave. The change in sound immediately had an effect on the crowd. Celestia watched as all of the students stopped fighting and turned to the Dazzlings, seemingly entranced by their new song. Relief washed over her as the stopped attacking one another.

Hold on . . . what’s with their eyes?

On closer inspection, every student’s eyes had changed color, glowing bright red. Not only had they stopped fighting one another, their faces turned into blank expressions, a few with a slight frown, and they lined themselves up on the dance floor. It’s just like what Chrysalis was doing.

Adagio cleared her throat, and offered a haughty glance in the Principal’s direction. She raised her hand, and the two sirens behind her stopped singing. The room fell silent once more, a strange tension hanging in the air.

“Hello students of Canterlot High School, Crystal Preparatory Academy, and all of those of you around the city who can hear me in your heads right now. I am Adagio Dazzle. However, I am asking you to be your leader. We are united by a mission that has quite literally crossed over multiple universes, generations, and lifetimes.

“That mission will be completed tonight. But it will not be easy to succeed. All of your fear, your kindness, your cowardice, must be removed if we wish to truly save this world. The only things I need from you are your anger and your determination. Let it rise to the surface, like a bubble ready to pop. You will need to give this your all. I know you can.

“What is our goal, you ask? To reclaim what is rightfully mine. To cast vengeance upon those who have wronged us in the past. And, most importantly, to regain control of this world, which has been led so far astray. All of this starts tonight! And it starts with one simple action, one swift blow that any one of you can deliver, if your hearts and souls are dedicated to my cause!”

The crowd below roared with excitement as Adagio continued. Celestia backed away from the sirens.

“Your goal tonight is simple . . . I’m sure many of you already know what I’m going to say, because you have been thinking it, imagining it, and reveling in it for weeks now. It is an accomplishment far overdue, but that just means we must get it done as soon as possible.”

A smirk appeared on Adagio’s face, as the crowd erupted in eager shouts and anticipatory noises. She stared at the Principal, and her smirk opened up into a malicious grin.

“You must kill Princess Celestia!”

The crowd roared in approval.

“You hate Princess Celestia!”

They stomped their feet on the ground in ecstasy.

“If you see Princess Celestia right now, you will attack her!”

They whooped and hollered, shouting obscenities at the top of their lungs.

“And I repeat: you will kill her!”

The Principal watched in horror as the Dazzlings continued to rile up the crowd. She ran over to Adagio and grabbed onto her shoulders. “What is this, Adagio?! What are you doing?”

Adagio turned to her, and Celestia came face to face with a pair of ancient, evil eyes. “We’re taking compensation for our help tonight.”

“Why Princess Celestia? What did she do to you?”

Adagio didn’t answer. Instead, she pushed Celestia off of her and turned back to the crowd. “What are we waiting for?! Everyone, head to the Everfree Forest! Camp Everfree is our goal! And remember: if you see Celestia, you murder her!”

At Adagio’s final call, the whooping and hollering reached a crescendo, and Celestia threw her hands over her ears. A second glance at the crowd showed they were doing more than just hollering out loud; they were yelling and shouting at the Principal.

The Principal slunk back as every student in the room eyed her with malicious gazes. “Why are they looking at me, Adagio? I’m not the Princess!”

Adagio shrugged. “We didn’t have the time to explain that there was more than one Celestia in this world. Sorry.” She walked over to the Principal and guided her to the doorway. “Consider this our last gift to you: I’ll hold this group off for ten seconds. Run.”

The Principal glanced back from the doorway at every student, eagerly watching her, waiting to pounce on the sirens’ command. She turned heel and dashed out of the school as fast as her legs could carry her.





“Since when could you grow wings?” growled Sunset from below as Chrysalis soared higher into the air, going up past the top floor of the school. 

“Since I’ve got far too much energy and nothing to lose! I just need enough power, and I can transform into anything!”

“Then why the hell are you so fixated on fucking up my body?”

Chrysalis’s laugh boomed through the courtyard. “There are few bodies that I can use that allow me to do so much evil without losing any love,” she said. “I could have killed another student and the teachers would have asked if I was hurt! You built up the perfect reputation. This,” she twirled in the air, showing off her demon form, “Is all you!”

“Bullshit it is,” Sunset yelled from the ground. “Get down here and face me. I may not be able to fly, but I can still kick your ass.”

“If you wish!” Chrysalis said, swooping down directly at Sunset. She picked the girl up by her jacket and lifted her into the air. Soaring up to the top level of the school, she reveled in seeing Sunset flail her legs wildly in the sky. Just as Chrysalis reached the peak of her flight, she dropped Sunset from her arms.

Sunset’s mind flooded with terror and she let out a loud scream. Right before she hit the ground, Chrysalis swiped her back up, stopping her fatal momentum. With an evil cackle, she immediately dropped Sunset afterward, who rolled onto the ground with a heavy thud. She landed against the side of the Wondercolts statue and groaned.

“The next time I decide to pick you up, I won’t be so kind, Sunset! And I’m not giving any second chances!”

Sunset got back onto her feet and brushed herself off. “Then what the hell are you waiting for?”

Chrysalis landed in front of the portal, a few feet away from Sunset. “I have some reinforcements scheduled to arrive any minute now. I think I’ll wait it out by toying with you a little more. It’ll be fun to revel in your slow death.” She rushed forward and jumped at Sunset, angling her knee to slam directly into her stomach. All of Sunset’s air released from her lungs, and she fell backward onto the ground. “You sure can take a beating!” Chrysalis exclaimed, a chuckle escaping her lips at Sunset’s misery.

Sunset sucked in more air before sitting back up. “Humanity isn’t as kind as Equestrians are. I’ve had to learn.”

Chrysalis’s chuckle evolved into a full-on guffaw. “Perhaps. Or maybe the ponies hide it better.”

Sunset got back onto her feet again, and raised her fists at the changeling queen. Splaying out her arms tauntingly, Chrysalis beckoned her closer.

“Come on! One free shot, Sunset. Consider it your last chance.”

“Fuck you.”

Chrysalis smirked. “Words aren’t going to kill me. Perhaps you would like to try hugging me to death next?”

Sunset raced forward with a roar, swinging her fist at the demon. Chrysalis sidestepped and used Sunset’s momentum to push her to the ground. She landed against the concrete and let out another groan of pain.

“Ha! That’s everything you have, then? How pitiful. There was a moment when I thought you could actually be something, Sunset. All of that potential, thrown away the minute momma bird came back and said she would actually feed you this time—” Chrysalis was interrupted by something latching onto her back. Sunset turned her head to see Twilight clutching onto the demon’s wings, wrapping her whole body around Chrysalis in an airtight hug.

“This one’s from Equestria!” she yelled as Chrysalis shook herself back and forth. 

“Get the hell off of me, you disgusting mule!” She clawed at Twilight behind her back, but even as she dug into Twilight’s skin, the girl wouldn’t let go.

“Sunset! Right next to you!”

Sunset glanced to her left, and saw the sledgehammer she had dropped next to the portal. Realizing Twilight’s intentions, she weakly grasped the top of the handle, picking it up with every ounce of strength she had left. She slid back up onto her feet.

Chrysalis, still not paying attention due to Twilight’s attack, lifted her head at just the right angle for Sunset to swing. The head of the sledge slammed into Chrysalis’s face with a crunch, and she screamed in agony.

“You miserable excuse of an ape—” Sunset clocked her again.

“Ugh, you fucking—” Sunset continued her flurry of barrages, and Twilight used Chrysalis’s stunned seconds to detach herself from the queen. With one final roar, Sunset knocked Chrysalis onto the ground, who fell backward with a thud. 

“And that was from Earth!” Sunset yelled as she dropped the sledgehammer on the ground. Chrysalis didn’t respond, still passed out, her face bloodied and bruised from the sudden beating.

Twilight rushed to Sunset’s side, worry evident on her face. She had a few deep scratches on her back, but was more or less okay. Sunset examined herself, and found that she had taken the most damage. Twilight was averting her eyes from Sunset’s face. I must look terrible right now.

“What happened, Sunset? Why does Chrysalis look like . . . demon you?”

Sunset set her hands on her knees and panted for breath. “She . . . got a boost of power, from you . . . and she wanted to piss me off. It’s fine, now. She got too cocky.”

Twilight placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened, I just . . .”

“That’s just want Chrysalis does to win. I won’t make a big deal out of it. Are you okay?” 

Twilight nodded. “I’m lightheaded, probably from being drained. You, um . . .”

Sunset tried to chuckle, but winced in pain, clutching her chest. “Yeah, I guess I’m not too hot. I’m probably going to pass out soon.”

“We should deal with her quick then. What are you going to do?”

Sunset wiped her brow and moved to pick the sledge back up. “I’m . . . going to kill her. She’s a parasite.” She glanced back at Twilight. “Go restart cutting down the tree. This might not be pretty.”

“Do you want to kill her?”

Sunset stared down at Chrysalis body. " . . . No. No, I don’t. I don’t want to at all.” She turned to Twilight. “But is there another way out? Will she ever see reason?”

Twilight didn’t say anything.

“Then I have no choice.”

“Okay, Sunset,” said Twilight. “I won’t stop you. I’ll start cutting down the tree again.”

As Twilight moved back over to the tree and grabbed the axe, Sunset stepped in front Chrysalis’s body, lining herself up for a blow to the chest. She wasn’t sure she would be able to stomach hitting the head directly. “Consider this farewell, Chrysalis. May fate have mercy on your soul.”

Just as Sunset raised the sledge, however, Chrysalis’s eyes darted open, and she launched herself forward, grabbing Sunset by the neck. She cackled with glee as she soared into the air, taking Sunset along for the ride.

“Easiest trick in the book! Did you really think a few blows to the head was enough to knock me out? I’m invincible! I have defied fate! I am victorious!” She rose higher and higher into the air, letting Sunset’s legs dangle, relishing the view of her futile search for footing. Once she reached the height equal to the top of level of the school, she grinned, and stared into Sunset’s helpless eyes. “Goodbye, Sunset! Perhaps you’ll finally get some peace in Tartarus!”

“Twilight!” Sunset screamed. Chrysalis, at hearing the girl’s name, glanced in her direction for a split-second.

Twilight, who had previously tried to cut down the tree the normal way, had failed to notice the fist-shaped hole on the side, as it was just a bit out of her reach. However, this time, Twilight had caught sight of it on her walk back, and immediately began attempting to jam the felling axe through the hole.

“NO!” screamed Chrysalis, and without thinking, she darted down as fast as her wings would carry her, aiming straight for the tree. She was still clutching on to Sunset with her grip, and she dropped the girl a few feet before the ground. Twilight saw the advancing demon and quickly ducked behind the tree, dislodging the axe from the hole.

Chrysalis slammed into its side, unable to stop her momentum. Sunset rolled toward the mirror portal, cutting herself on the hard concrete. She landed just in front of the mirror’s entrance, and had to fight to keep consciousness.

Both the changeling queen and Sunset were groaning on the ground in pain over the fall. Twilight, seeing an opportunity, walked out from behind the tree, and raised the axe over Chrysalis. Just as the axe fell, Chrysalis instinctively rolled out of the way to avoid it.

She was not fast enough. Chrysalis’s wing got caught by the axe, and a small hole was torn through it. She screamed in pain. 

Sunset got back onto her feet and stumbled over to Chrysalis, wiping dirt out of her face. “No more, Chrysalis! There’s nothing left for you to do!”

Chrysalis’s eyes widened as Twilight raised the axe again, ready to strike. Behind her, Sunset was advancing, and had almost reached her. In a panic, the queen flashed, turning back into a small wasp, and darted toward the mirror portal.

Sunset had a head start, already waiting only a meter away from the portal. As the queen wasp passed Sunset, the girl reached out her hand and clutched the bug tightly. There was still a chance for Chrysalis; with another green flash, she turned back into the demon Sunset, turning Sunset’s full-body clutch into only a grasp on Chryalis’s leg. She started to trudge forward, vowing to enter through the portal no matter what. Sunset only had enough energy to hang on and let herself get dragged forward, fearful of what would happen if the changeling queen made it through. 

“Don’t try it, Chrysalis!” Sunset screamed. Chrysalis was one step away from the portal. 

“Too bad, Sunset! Let’s go back home!” Sunset grabbed on to Chrysalis’s other leg. She glanced behind and saw Twilight running up to grab on as well. She was too late; the changeling queen cackled as she found the energy to lift another leg forward.

Chrysalis stepped into the mirror portal.

A prismatic vortex assaulted Sunset’s senses as she was dragged inside. Her sense of balance was lost, replaced with a nauseating vertigo. In what seemed like hours, but was only less than a second, Sunset felt her body corkscrew into a mash between pony and human, Chrysalis undergoing a similar transformation in front of her. The only thing she could ground herself to was her grip on Chrysalis’s leg, but even that was not helping much. Just as Sunset thought she was going to empty her lunch, her momentum was completely negated by something grabbing onto her own leg, letting her dangle in the center of the portal with Chrysalis.

She tilted her head back and saw a purple arm sticking through the portal, gripping Sunset’s leg tightly. Twilight anchored herself on the other side! Sunset turned back to face Chrysalis’s form, the two now stuck dangling between two worlds.

“Let go of me!” Chrysalis shouted, her voice alternating between a typical changeling hiss and the throaty buzz of a wasp. Her yell echoed off into infinity, bouncing against the boundless walls of the portal until it was too quiet to hear. Sunset managed to focus her vision forward and saw that Chrysalis was quite literally swapping between a changeling and a wasp every second, like flipping a switch. Both the changeling and the wasp were of equal size, and Chrysalis did not appear to recognize the change.

“Never!” Sunset realized that her own body was undergoing a similar transformation, a constant blink between pony and human. As she shouted at Chrysalis, she felt both her mouth and her snout call out simultaneously.

Chrysalis flapped both of her wings, trying to inch herself forward out the other end of the portal. Sunset yanked her backwards, relying on Twilight’s grip to just barely contain the struggling changeling. The queen turned around and kicked out her hoof. Sunset dodged out of the way.

I need to pull her back in, Sunset thought to herself. But how? 

Chrysalis stopped struggling and instead starting shaking her leg, attempting to fling Sunset off. “How does it feel to be a pony again, Sunset? Is it like returning to a childhood bedroom after years away from home? Or maybe its tearing open all of the scars you thought had scabbed over by now . . .”

Chrysalis’s words gave Sunset an idea. I have my horn! She angled her head downward, pointing it directly at Chrysalis. If I just get the timing right, and wait until I’m in my pony form . . . She waited for a few minutes, internalizing the pattern of swapping between human and pony. Chrysalis’s eyes widened as she realized what Sunset was planning.

“No you don’t!” she screamed, renewing her struggle to escape Sunset’s grip, destroying the mare’s concentration in the process. Still, Sunset kept up the attempt, searching her body for any leftover magic to bring to the surface. Chrysalis wiggled her foreleg slightly out of Sunset’s grip, and it renewed her efforts tenfold. “Let me go!”

Sunset tried to fire a spell to no avail. She had spent far too much time in the human world, and her body had gotten used to living with little to no magic. She was holding on to Chrysalis by a fingertip, just by the edge of her hoof, and her grip was weakening.

“Please!” Sunset called out in frustration. “Please! Just one spell! I’ll take anything! I don’t deserve it, but it isn’t for me! Just this once! Give me one shot!”

“Give up, Sunset!” Chrysalis yelled. “You are no savior! Submit, and give Equestria up! It has never extended its hoof to you before, not when you were in need. Let it go! Release your grip, and see Equestria fall as you have always wanted!”

“No!” she screamed. “I won’t!”

“Equestria will never forgive you, Sunset! Take vengeance, and release your hand!”

“Never! It doesn’t matter! Equestria can send me to Tartarus, trap me on the moon, encase me in stone, I don’t care! Because I forgive them!” Her grip weakened. “I forgive every single pony who wronged me, even if they never do so to me!”

“You stupid horse!” Chrysalis roared, yanking her leg almost completely out of Sunset’s grip. “When will you see that they do not care for you! They are not creatures of peace! What you have done will forever be reprehensible in their eyes!”

“Then I will show them otherwise! Every pony is capable of harmony. Every being can live in harmony! But to truly love with abandon, we all must be willing to forgive!”

Just before Chrysalis’s leg fell out of her grasp, Sunset’s eyes glowed a blinding white light. Her body flooded with magic, even though her horn wasn’t activated. She could feel herself floating outside of her own body, while simultaneously inside as well.

Let me go, she heard Chrysalis say. No, she felt Chrysalis say. She could feel Chrysalis’s fear, her panic at trying to escape, and her hatred toward Sunset. Sunset reached forward and grabbed back on to her leg with an iron grip.

Don’t resist, Sunset spoke to her. Chrysalis stopped struggling, and turned back to look at Sunset, her pupils shrunken down to tiny dots.

Your magic is surging, thought Chrysalis, and Sunset could feel the terror coursing through the changeling’s veins.

The last time my magic surged, I erased two ponies from existence. 

Chrysalis’s terror evolved into full-on panic as she turned back around began stretching out toward the other side of the vortex. Let me out let me out let me out—

Do not worry, Chrysalis. I will not do the same to you. Even you do not deserve such a fate. I can hear your thoughts, feel your emotions, and view your memories. Last time, I had a magical surge in order to destroy the life I had been given. This time, I will protect it. Sunset felt like her cutie mark had been rediscovered all over again, like she had been filled with an endless energy that affirmed her every action as the correct choice.

Then what are you going to do to me?

That is up for you to decide.

Why?

Because even you are capable of great things, Chrysalis. Stand down now, and I will not hurt you. I promise.

Never! she felt Chrysalis wearily struggle against her grip.

Then I must direct my magic at you, and let fate take control. I do not wish to do so. I will give you one more chance.

I would rather die than become as docile as a pony. I will never forgive you!

Then Harmony shall decide.

Without any hesitation, Sunset aimed her horn and shot a spell as bright as the Sun at Chrysalis, zipping right through her abdomen. With a terrified gasp, Chrysalis’s whole body went limp, stuck floating in the air between the two worlds. Sunset turned to Twilight’s hoof, still clinging on from outside the portal, and tapped it three times. 

Twilight, receiving Sunset’s signal, pulled as hard as she could from the other side of the portal. She had braced herself against the adjacent wall of the Wondercolts statue, and yanked the two creatures back onto Earth. Both fell onto the ground in front of the portal, unconscious.

“Sunset!” screamed Twilight, grasping girl in her hands. She grabbed Sunset’s shoulders and shook her up and down, startling her awake. Sunset sat up and groaned in pain.

“Ah,” she said, rubbing her head, “What happened?”

“You and Chrysalis were in the portal,” Twilight said. “What happened?”

She furrowed her brow. “I was holding on to her, trying to cast a spell, and then . . . nothing,” she said. 

“I was out here the whole time,” Twilight responded, “so I don’t know either.”

A faint chuckle emanated from a few feet away from them. Chrysalis, back in Sunset’s demon form, was laying on her back, clutching her stomach. Sunset shot up and raced over to her. “This ends now, Chrysalis!”

All Chrysalis could respond with was a defeated sigh. “It’s already over, Sunset. I can’t move.”

“What?” Twilight stood up and went to Sunset’s side, curiously eyeing the fallen Changeling Queen.

“I’m going to die,” Chrysalis said. “You had a magic surge inside of the portal. I suppose the correct thing to say is that ‘fate took over.’ I don’t expect you would remember such a thing immediately.”

Sunset gaped in shock. “A magic surge . . . but what did I do?”

“You’ll regain memory of it soon enough, I’m sure,” she said with a rasp, “but more specifically, you did this.” Chrysalis took her hands and waved them over a spot on her dress, right above her stomach. With a green flash, the small patch of clothes disappeared to reveal what was underneath. 

Chrysalis’s scarlet skin was broken up by a few pieces of stone popping out, like small gray islands in a sea of red. She tapped one stone with a finger, letting the two girls hear it knock. They watched as the diameter of each piece slowly but steadily increased, covering more of her stomach each second. “I’m turning into stone. The Princesses were supposedly better at making this punishment fast and ugly, but you botched it, even with destiny working for you.”

“W-what did I do wrong?”

“From what I know, the spell is only supposed to cover the outer layer and preserve the inside of the victim. You, for whatever reason, started on me from the inside out. I’m going to die.”

“She’s lying, Sunset,” said Twilight. “Don’t get any closer.”

Chrysalis snorted. “If I was bluffing at this point, you both would be dead by now.”

A sinking feeling entered Sunset’s stomach. “I’m . . . I’m sorry. I . . . I’ll help put you out of your misery, if you wish.”

“No,” Chrysalis breathed. “It’s a . . . changeling tradition, having a slow death. In fact, when a Queen is killed, the assassin is required to converse with them until they take their last breath. Of course, the usual assassin of a Queen is her own daughter, but . . .”

Sunset sat down next to Chrysalis. She pulled out her switchblade and flipped it open. “I could cut out the stone to stop the spread.”

“No, no . . . just hear what I have to say. You went on a whole spiel about forgiveness inside the portal . . . I think its my turn.” Chrysalis’s voice lowered to a whisper.

Sunset leaned her ear in closer. “Alright—”

The front doors of Canterlot High School swung open, slamming against the sides of the building. Principal Celestia rushed out in panic. When she saw the two girls standing over Chrysalis, she darted over to them.

“Sunset!” she yelled, glancing back at the front doors. “We need to leave! Right now!”

Sunset, Twilight, and Chrysalis stared incredulously at the woman. When the Principal caught sight of her car parked by the side of the building, she jumped in and started the engine, pulling up to the sidewalk. “Get in!”

Then, Sunset noticed the houses lining the streets around CHS. People were stepping out onto the street in an aimless wander, their glowing red eyes accompanying dark scowls on their faces. However, when a few people from closer houses noticed Principal Celestia, they turned and began sauntering toward the woman, their faces turning even darker.

The doors to CHS swung open once more, and this time Adagio, Aria, and Sonata exited the building, a crowd of students following behind them. They stopped a good distance away from Sunset, and turned around to the crowd.

“I will remind you once again,” Adagio announced, “your mission is to find Princess Celestia and kill her!”

Sunset and Twilight gasped.

“What are you doing?” Sunset yelled from across the courtyard.

“I thought we had a deal!” added Twilight.

Adagio let out a sinister laugh, eyeing the girls with a look of haughty superiority. “Did you seriously believe our word? We helped you out, and now we’re taking our payment,” she said.

“Why did you help us, then?” asked Twilight.

“Because you’re just two pawns who think they’re queens!” she exclaimed. “This was never about you! Chrysalis thought it was, and look what happened to her!” She motioned to Chrysalis on the ground. “Serves you right, bitch,” she muttered. “Everything we’ve done has been between us and Celestia. I think Sunset would understand our sentiment, no?”

Sunset clenched her fists. “How dare you?” she growled.

Adagio only responded with another laugh. “Well, ta-ta, Sunset! If you be a good little pony, we might let you stay alive to see both of your worlds destroyed!” Adagio and the other sirens waved goodbye, turning to the right and leading the crowd off the campus. Sunset heard the sound of buses huffing down the street, and soon four pulled into the parking lot. “Everybody in!” Adagio called. “Next stop: Camp Everfree!”

Sunset turned to Twilight, equal looks of despair on both their faces. Chrysalis groaned on the ground in what seemed to be an attempt at a bitter chuckle.

“Hah. . . that’s just how the game is played, Sunset. You live and learn. Or you don’t.”

The Principal slammed the horn of the car twice, reminding the girls of where they needed to be. Twilight rushed over and jumped into the backseat, ready to head to the Everfree.

Sunset eyed Chrysalis on the ground. “I’m going to have to leave you here.”

Chrysalis grinned maniacally. “This isn’t over for me, Sunset. You can leave, but I will reach you. You’re going to look me in the eyes as I die, whether you want to or not.”

“I’m sorry,” Sunset said, turning away and heading for the car. She hopped into the backseat next to Twilight. “Let’s go.”

They sped off just as the Dazzlings began filling up their buses.

“What the hell are we going to do now?” yelled the Principal as she punched on the gas. 

Sunset leaned back in the seat, taking a moment to rest her aching body. “We have to get to Camp Everfree first,” she said. “The Princess is waiting.”